New biometric passports in Armenia: color and launch date announced
28.04.2026,
13:06
Biometric passports in Armenia will be red, announced RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
YEREVAN, April 28. /ARKA/. Biometric passports in Armenia will be red, announced RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
"Our flag has three colors: red, blue, and orange. We decided that the biometric passport will be red, which, according to our research, is one of the most common shades internationally," Pashinyan said on Tuesday during a working discussion with Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan.
The Prime Minister announced that the first page of the passport will feature an outline map of Armenia on the left, with the national emblem and text information on the right. "The process of introducing biometric passports and ID cards is in its final stages; they will be available to citizens starting in the fall of 2026," Pashinyan said.
Work on introducing a new system of biometric passports and ID cards in Armenia was presented at the discussion.
"The goal of introducing the new system is to ensure that identity documents comply with high international standards, in particular the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)," Sargsyan said.
According to the Minister of Internal Affairs, this will increase the security of documents, simplify border crossings, and facilitate the free movement of citizens, including in the process of visa liberalization with the European Union.
On the implementation of the biometric system
In August 2024, the Armenian government decided to issue citizens new ID cards and biometric passports.
The French consortium IDEMIA Identity Security France and A.C.I. Technology S.à r.l., which won the tender, is creating the necessary infrastructure.
In April 2025, Armenia signed an agreement with HAYPASS, a company created by this consortium. It will implement the biometric passport and ID card system in the country.
The design of biometric ID cards, including background art, security features, and data fields, was previously approved. According to the schedule, their issuance is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026.
The implementation of the biometric system, including the issuance of new passports and ID cards, is the first step in Armenia's planned reforms as part of its Visa Liberalization Action Plan with the EU.
"Our flag has three colors: red, blue, and orange. We decided that the biometric passport will be red, which, according to our research, is one of the most common shades internationally," Pashinyan said on Tuesday during a working discussion with Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan.
The Prime Minister announced that the first page of the passport will feature an outline map of Armenia on the left, with the national emblem and text information on the right. "The process of introducing biometric passports and ID cards is in its final stages; they will be available to citizens starting in the fall of 2026," Pashinyan said.
Work on introducing a new system of biometric passports and ID cards in Armenia was presented at the discussion.
"The goal of introducing the new system is to ensure that identity documents comply with high international standards, in particular the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)," Sargsyan said.
According to the Minister of Internal Affairs, this will increase the security of documents, simplify border crossings, and facilitate the free movement of citizens, including in the process of visa liberalization with the European Union.
On the implementation of the biometric system
In August 2024, the Armenian government decided to issue citizens new ID cards and biometric passports.
The French consortium IDEMIA Identity Security France and A.C.I. Technology S.à r.l., which won the tender, is creating the necessary infrastructure.
In April 2025, Armenia signed an agreement with HAYPASS, a company created by this consortium. It will implement the biometric passport and ID card system in the country.
The design of biometric ID cards, including background art, security features, and data fields, was previously approved. According to the schedule, their issuance is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026.
The implementation of the biometric system, including the issuance of new passports and ID cards, is the first step in Armenia's planned reforms as part of its Visa Liberalization Action Plan with the EU.
